HOT ON the heels of Christian Cullen and Doug Howlett, Munster’s most recent addition to their list of ‘Global Greats’, Jean de Villiers, arrives today. To read the citations from the Western Province this week, however, the impression is that they would dearly love him not to leave Newlands.
The 28-year-old, fresh from helping inspire South Africa to the Tri-Nations title last Saturday with a trademark intercept try in the 32-29 victory over New Zealand, will fly into Cork airport this morning and link up with his Munster team-mates ahead of Saturday’s match against the Scarlets.
De Villiers is expected to make his Munster debut in the Magners League clash against the Dragons in Musgrave Park on September 27th.
“We are obviously sad to be losing Jean,” said The Stormer managing director Rob Wagner this week. “As a captain and a player he has contributed significantly both on and off the pitch. Whilst we did everything in our power to retain his services, Jean has made up his mind to join the great Munster club.
“Western Province rugby is sorry he is departing,” continued Wagner. But we thank him for all he has done for and meant to Western Province and the Stormers and hope to see him back in the future.”
De Villiers arrives in Munster having captained South Africa at both under 21 and senior level, where he won 54 caps and scored 18 tries. At 6ft 3in and just under 16 stone, he began his career on the wing but has settled into the centre as a world class player.
Providing he passes his medical he will be eligible to play with Munster in the Heineken Cup. That kicks off for the 2008 winners on October 10th when they face Northampton Saints in Franklin’s Gardens. The deadline for players to be registered for Heineken Cup is today, September 17th.
De Villiers has a one-year deal with Munster with an option of two years.
Connacht have named a 24-man squad ahead of their Magners League game against Cardiff Blues at the Sportsground tomorrow night. Props Brett Wilkinson and Robbie Morris, who missed last week’s trip to Edinburgh because of injury, remain doubtful.
CONNACHT (squad v Cardiff): A Browne, F Carr, S Cronin, G Duffy, A Flavin, J Hagan, C Higgins, I Keatly, R Loughney, K Matthews, M McCarthy, M McComish, R Morris, J Muldoon, F Murphy, T Nathan, M Nikora, J O’Connor, R Ofisa, C O’loughlin, B Tuohy, B Upton, B Wilkinson, A Wynne.
